The Sydney Waterfront District was announced Friday as beneficiary of $25,000 through the Beautification and Streetscaping fund.

CBRM received the maximum contribution available through the $500,000 program that contributes up to 50 per cent of the costs of municipal projects.

Applicants can apply for coverage of work related to landscaping, installing interpretive and entrance signs, enhancing lighting and building public restrooms.

Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette made the announcement on behalf of Chuck Porter, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

During the ceremonies, Mombourquette offered a commitment to relocating the Nova Scotia Community College’s Marconi campus to the downtown core.

“This again is another step in what we’re trying to do for downtown Sydney,” said Mombourquette. “These are the projects that we need to complete so that when our tourists come here they feel welcome.

“We have other projects as you are well aware — the construction of the Nova Scotia Community College is going to happen in downtown Sydney.”

Michelle Wilson, executive director of Sydney Waterfront District business association, said studies show that beautification attracts people to spend more time in an area, which in turn produces economic benefits.

"A strong downtown core is vital to a community as it provides a sense of place in an area that people can come together,’ said Wilson.

Sydney-area councillor and CBRM Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald said the beautification project is a benefit for everyone.

“We have an experience for our local residents to enjoy throughout the summer and, of course, if our local residents get to enjoy it so do cruise ship passengers, the people that come across the causeway, and of course people who visit us by air,” he said.

Wilson said a majority of the funding provided has already been spent on things such as 20 chairs, flowers and directional signs pointing to popular destinations.

“For this project we wanted to have a really strong impact, so we thought we would really focus on main street, our main shopping district which is Charlotte Street,” she said.